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After a long, hard season for both of these sides a tie at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park was on the table to decide who was the best Under 13s school side in Scotland.  Edinburgh’s Broughton High School made the journey to the South-West to face Kilmarnock’s own Grange Academy.  Judging by either side’s road to the final we were expecting goals in the final however, the two were involved in a tighter match with a late double from Ciaran Brian sealing the win for Broughton.

Broughton settled into the game early on and used the large pitch to their advantage as they passed the ball around with ease.  They had a lot of possession, however, it was in the middle of the park and they could not trouble their opponents or create any chances in the opening exchanges.

It was Grange who had the first opportunity as Michael Hewitt threatened.  A ball was crossed into the box from the left hand side, Hewitt found himself on the end of the ball twelve yards out.  Hs initial header was blocked by a defender before it could reach the goalkeeper with a few players claiming for handball.  Hewitt played on, getting onto the rebound where he smashed his shot at goal forcing a fantastic save from Ross Coats at close range as he pushed the shot onto the post.

Coats was forced into action moments later as Hewitt went close again.  Ewan Farrell played a defence-splitting ball to Hewitt who got inside the penalty area on the right hand side.  He took a shot across the keeper which meant Coats had to produce another good save to keep the scores even.

Grange continued to create chances at will and they nearly scored from a lightning counter attack.  Jack Paterson picked the ball up mid-way inside his own half and drove towards the Broughton box.  He got inside the area with no challenges in sight.  Paterson moved the ball onto his right foot and tried to place his effort inside the far post but the shot was easily saved.

Despite their early possession Broughton were unable to create any clear-cut chances until mid-way through the first half.  Daniel Nichol played a cross into the penalty from deep on the right hand side.  One of Grange’s defenders tried to usher the ball back to his goalkeeper.  Ciaran Brian, though, pounced on the loose ball ahead of the keeper and tried to lob the keeper who was off his line.  Brian’s shot, though, was not good enough to beat Lewis Campbell who caught the ball with ease.

The Kilmarnock side went looking for the opening goal again as the first half came to a close.  A free kick was played into the area from deep on the right wing.  The cross found its way to the backpost where Craig Phillips was waiting.  The defender controlled the ball well and got a shot away on the half volley but another good save denied Grange the opening goal of the match.

With the final attack of the half, Grange were finally able to take the lead that they deserved based on the number of chances they had created.  Michael Hewitt picked the ball up on the right hand side and drove to the by-line.  He cut the ball back to Chrissy Law who took a touch, twelve yards out, and got a shot away.  The effort was deflected, catching the keeper out and ending up in the back of the net.

At half time Grange led 1 – 0.  They deserved their lead as they created numerous chances throughout the half and probably should have scored more.

Half Time:  Broughton High School 0 – 1 Grange Academy   
 
Broughton started the second half with the half time team talk still ringing in their ears.  They immediately got on the front foot and looked to get an equaliser.  A free kick on the left hand side was crossed in by Reece Rintoul.  His cross was headed to the backpost and looked to be heading in but Lewis Campbell made a great save to keep his side’s lead intact.

As Broughton pushed forward they left space at the back which Grange exploited with the next chance of the game.  Michael Hewitt picked the ball up and drove at the Broughton defence.  His floated cross picked out Robbie Handling who had a free header.  The attacker jumped too early and put his headed effort over the bar from six yards out.

The next incident of the match was a penalty decision which went the way of Broughton.  Bradley Whyte was fouled as he got to a ball ahead of the defender and the referee pointed to the spot straight away.  Ciaran Brian stepped up and was calm enough to slot the ball into the bottom left corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.  

The score was now 1 – 1 with ten minutes to play.  Moments after the goal Brian was able to get his second of the match.  A long ball was played into the Grange area.  Brian chased down the ball, getting there ahead of the onrushing Lewis Campbell.  Brian saw the keeper off his line and lobbed him with his first touch and watched as his shot rolled over the line to give his side the lead in the match.  

Broughton were able to see out the final few minutes of the match without any problems as they clinched the Under 13s Scottish Shield with a strong performance which saw they under alot of pressure in the first half but turn around their level of performance in the second to make a memorable comeback.   
 
Full Time:  Broughton High School 2 – 1 Grange Academy 

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Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 'A' were crowned John Murphy Trophy champions after annihilating a surprisingly ineffectual Tranent Juniors side at Penicuik Athletic FC's home ground.

The final began at a frantic pace, both teams eager to bag an early goal in the slippery conditions. The earliest of the opportunities came Bonnyrigg's way, with Darrell Young diverting a header from the talented Blair Dickson's cross narrowly over the bar.

A theme that would unfold throughout this final was Bonnyrigg's ability to penetrate deep into the Tranent box. The first of the tie's goals came on ten minutes from Fraser Neave, getting his head on a pacey ball played in by Scott Finlayson. A fantastic cutting delivery into the six yard box with Neave being in a prime position to divert it past stopper Ross McMullen.

Tranent's response was immediate - Craig Wojtowycz grabbing an equaliser after Cameron Reynolds' free kick from the far right was poorly cleared by the Bonnyrigg defence, allowing Wojtowycz to convert on his second attempt inside the six yard box.

The pace was constant with David Gallagher next to get on the scoresheet for Bonnyrigg. Poor goalkeeping from Tranent's McMullen, let to yet another scrappy ball loose in the danger area, which Gallagher was about get first to knock it in.

Bonnyrigg were now steadily dominating the game and converted their third two minutes later. Tranent's failure to defend Bonnyrigg's low corner saw Neave able to nip in and direct his effort past McMullen to grab his second of the tie.

Bonnyrigg continued to entertain their travelling support as Dean Knight made a great individual run from the centre spot to fire a ball into Scott Finlayson who deflected a high awkward ball towards the Tranent goal. The shaky McMullen done well to backtrack and claw the ball off the line.

Tranent's pain was not over as Bonnyrigg added another goal to their tally five minutes from half time; Greig Callaghan flighted a lovely ball from the centre to Finlayson who was clear on the edge of the box, striking a low ball which produced a tremendous bottom hand save by McMullen, however the subsequent loose ball was met by the speedy Gallagher, grabbing his second and Bonnyrigg's fourth going into half time.

Half time: Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 4-1 Tranent Juniors

Tranent began the second half with more gusto than the previous forty five, showing they were still capable of holding Bonnyrigg at bay. Their nearest of chances came from Wojtowycz, after setting himself up for a volley, fired a ball straight down the throat of Bonnyrigg's stopper Andrew McQueen

Just as Tranent were gaining traction, Bonnyrigg effectively killed the final on the fifty minute mark; Dean Knight breaking away from the defence after Neave dinked a neat ball through the centre of the park. McMullen was off his line and out of position, giving the composed Knight all the time required to lob the stranded keeper and bring Bonnyrigg's total to 5.

A quiet spell now prevailed, Tranent still subdued by the superior Bonnyrigg defence. A rare second half attack came the way of Bonnyrigg's Jordan Lister, as he struck twenty yards out, fizzing narrowly wide of of the left hand post. Tranent's closest of attacks saw substitute Anton McKillop push his long range effort off target.

Thirteen minutes from the end of time, Tranent were to grab a consolation goal. Wojtowycz was well positioned to time a run through the Bonnyrigg defence to get himself one-on-one with sedentary McQueen, who could only watch as Wojtowycz rolled the ball into the back of his net. That was to be the last of this final's action as Bonnyrigg proved to be deserved winners in this South East Region.

Full time: Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 5-2 Tranent Juniors

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Linlithgow Academy got the better of Boroughmuir High School in an all action Senior Lothian Schools FA Cup final at Spartans Academy. Daniel Nimmo headed Linlithgow ahead but Angus Beith scored a superb equaliser for Boroughmuir to make the score 1-1 at half time. Second half goals from Conor Adamson and Michael Currie sealed cup glory for the West Lothian side, securing them the league and cup double.

A mild night in North Edinburgh played host to a highly anticipated final, with both teams having long finished their league campaigns. Linlithgow had won the West Lothian Schools title with a 100% record, whereas Boroughmuir had came fifth in a very competitive Lothian Schools FA top flight. Both sides had excelled in the cup, coming through testing semi finals to make the showpiece match. Linlithgow got the better of Balerno, whereas Boroughmuir saw off Newbattle.

The early exchanges saw both side cancel each other out for long periods. The ball spent a lot of time in midfield, and whilst passes were sprayed along the excellent artificial surface in their dozens, no killer ball unlocked either defence in the first 30 minutes.

The deadlock was broken shortly after the half hour mark in favour of Linlithgow. A set piece was swung in and Daniel Nimmo was alert enoug to steal in front of the advancing goalkeeper and divert the ball into the net.

With the half drawing to a close Boroughmuir pushed forward in search of an equaliser and were presented the ideal opportunity with a free kick on the edge of the penalty box. Angus Beith won the battle with Alex Wyper to take the kick, with a little assistance from captain Lewis Scott, and justifiably so, given his terrific effort which found the back of the net.

Half Time: Boroughmuir High School 1-1 Linlithgow Academy

Boroughmuir started the second half brightly but struggled to break down a resolute Linlithgow defence. Wyper saw a lot of the ball on the wing, but the Edinburgh school struggled to fashion any goalscoring opportunities.

Inevitably, having soaked up the pressure, Linlithgow managed to take the lead midway through the half. Another set piece, this time a corner kick, was swung into the Boroughmuir box and defender Conor Adamson was on hand to show the instinct of a striker and poke the ball home.

Linlithgow's Michael Adams forced Andrew Dunnet into a fine save as they pressed for a clinching goal.

Shortly after going behind, things went from back to worse as Lewis Scott was shown a red card for a rash challenge.

With ten minutes to play Boroughmuir went down to nine men, with Alex Wyper seeing red after a late challenge on the Linlithgow goalkeeper.

To their credit, even with the numerical disadvantage, Boroughmuir continued to push forward. This provided space for Linlithgow on the counter attack and they exploited it fully. A direct through ball saw Michael Currie time his run to perfection and find the top corner with a fine finish.

The game was essentially over as a contest but there was more disappointment for Boroughmuir. Beith was shown a second yellow card for dissent, rounding off a frustrating evening for the Edinburgh school.

Linlithgow held on with ease and celebrating clinching a superb double. Having won the West Lothian Schools FA title for the two years previous, this team continues to go from strength to strength.

Full Time: Boroughmuir High School 1-3 Linlithgow Academy